Column apparatus for material exchange and/or heat exchange

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a column ( 1 ), with a section ( 9 ), in which a filling ( 10 ) is arranged in the form of a large number of fillers or a packing, a liquid distributor ( 100 ) for distributing a liquid (F) on that filling ( 10 ), a distribution space ( 101 ) of the liquid distributor ( 100 ), via which the liquid (F) can be distributed to that filling ( 10 ) of the column ( 1 ). According to the invention, it is provided that in the distribution space ( 101 ) of the liquid distributor ( 100 ), an additional means ( 20 ) is arranged, which forms a large number of passages ( 21 ) for the liquid (F) that is to be distributed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a column comprising a section containing afilling or packing, a liquid distributor for distributing a liquid tothe filling, and a distribution space of the liquid distributor, viawhich the liquid can be distributed to the filling or packing.

Such a column has at least one section in which a filling is arranged inthe form of a large number of filler or packing particles, i.e., randompacking, or in the form of a structured packing. A liquid distributor,which—relative to a column having a filling arranged as described—isarranged above the section containing the filling and is set up andprovided for distributing a liquid to that filling. The liquiddistributor of the column also has a distribution space for receivingthe liquid to be distributed, via which the liquid can be distributed tothat filling of the column.

Columns for material exchange and/or heat exchange between a gaseous andliquid phase (also called material-exchange columns) are known fromnumerous processing applications and are used both in so-called“on-shore” facilities as well as in so-called “off-shore” facilities. Ingeneral, in this case a material or material mixture in most cases flowsin gaseous form along a longitudinal axis of the column from the bottomto the top through the above-mentioned filling of the column. A secondmaterial or material mixture, in most cases in liquid phase (liquid), isreleased above the filling and flows through the column along thelongitudinal axis from the top to the bottom. In this connection, thetwo materials or material mixtures come into intensive contact with oneanother within the filling, ensuring the desired material exchange orheat exchange. In such counter-current devices with fillers or packings,it is decisive for the materials or material mixtures that are in thematerial exchange and/or heat exchange to have a constant ratio to oneanother with the cross-section of the column. In columns with theabove-mentioned filling (e.g., randon packings and/or structuredpackings), a liquid distributor of the type mentioned above is used totransfer liquid to the filling of the column. In this connection, it isnoteworthy that the distribution grade or distribution quality of such aliquid distributor affects the material exchange and/or heat exchange,as well as the effectiveness of the respective filling of the column inquestion.

In general, the basis for this invention is to improve the distributionquality of liquid distribution with simple means in a column of the typedescribed above.

Upon further study of the specification and appended claims, otherobjects and advantages of the invention will become apparent.

These objects are achived by a column of the type mentioned above whichfurther comprises an additional means, which forms a large number ofpassages for the liquid that is to be distributed, and which is arrangedin the distribution space of the liquid distributor.

Thus, the invention provides an additional means, intended to improvethe distribution quality of the liquid distributor in the distributionspace of the liquid distributor, the additional means forming a largenumber of (narrow) passages for the liquid to be distributed, andthereby prevent formation of gas bubbles. In addition, the narrowpassages hinder the introduction of solids into the liquid distributor.The narrow passages also reduce the energy of the incoming liquid,inparticular, the kinetic energy of the liquid.

The additional means is, preferably, a large number of (loose) fillingelements (fillers) layered on top of one another and/or arranged besideone another, in particular in the form of balls, annular cylinders,saddle rings or saddle elements, which in this way form athree-dimensional packing. For example, the filling elements can be arandom packing such as Raschig rings, Pall rings, or saddle rings.

As an alternative to this, the additional means can be in the form of astructured packing such as a wire mesh set or expanded metal thatprovides a large number of passages for the liquid to be distributed(liquid phase).

In another variant of the invention, the additional means can bedesigned as a sieve for separating solid particles from the liquid to bedistributed, in particular in the form of a large-area element (or aunit that is formed from large-area elements), with a number of passagesin the form of passage openings of the sieve, which are designed for theliquid to be distributed to flow through. The passages are speciallymade or sized in particular in such a way that solid particles that arecontained in the liquid to be distributed cannot go through the passagesstarting from a predefinable size and thus are separated in the sieve(filter). Preferably, the sieve or its elements are made of metal.

The additional means according to the invention is preferably arrangedin the distribution space of the liquid distributor in such a way that,e.g., the additional means acts on the liquid to be distributed in oneof the following ways: the liquid to be distributed is slowed down whenflowing through or filling the passages provided by the additional means(destruction of energy); movements of liquid, in particular lateral(horizontal) movements of the liquid in the passages, are reduced alongthe cross-section of the column by interaction with the additionalmeans; and a degasification (after introduction of gas bubbles) of theliquid to be distributed, taken up in the passages, is produced orsupported by said additional means having a comparatively highlyeffective surface.

For this purpose, in each case the distribution quality of the column orthe liquid distributor of the column is significantly improved: e.g., aliquid that is to be fed or distributed is fed from a pipeline; owing toits routinely relatively high flow rate, the latter introduces acorresponding high inertia into the column, and said inertia is reducedby a slowing action of said additional means, which facilitates an equaldispersion of the liquid and thus improves the distribution quality.

If, for example, the case of an “off-shore” application exists, lateralliquid movements, i.e., crosswise to the longitudinal axis of thecolumn, are reduced in the distribution space by said additional means(e.g., in the form of ballast fillers, as described above, or in theform of expanded metals or wire mesh sets), and in particular liquidwaves are reduced. For this purpose, different liquid levels arecompared, and thus a uniform liquid distribution over the cross-sectionof the column is ensured.

In case the liquid stream to be distributed contains, for example, gas,or gas is introduced into the distributor because of the conditions inthe column (e.g., in the case of two-phase feed streams or byintroduction of gas of the exiting liquid), the additional means,optionally before the actual liquid distribution, provides for aseparation of gas and liquid (degasification), so that primarily anequal dispersion of liquid over the cross-section of the column can beensured.

In the case of an additional means in the form of a sieve (filter), theadditional means can provide for separation of solid particles,introduced into the liquid distributor, which could close distributionholes of the liquid distributor, thereby causing the liquid distributorto overflow. Thus, this aspect of the sieve would improve thedistribution quality of the liquid distributor.

Preferably, the distribution space has a main channel, which is arrangedabove the section of the column along the longitudinal axis of thecolumn (which, in a column as described, the longitudinal axis coincideswith the vertical direction), and is designed to distribute liquid (tobe distributed) to one or more distributing arms of the liquiddistributor that extends from the main channel. In this connection, theadditional means preferably is arranged in the main channel and/or inthe distributing arm. The distributing arms are used in turn todistribute the liquid to the filling of the column, specifically overthe entire cross-section of the column. To this end, the distributingarms in each case have corresponding distribution holes, via which theliquid is added to the subjacent filling of the column.

In one embodiment, the additional means is in the form of a sieve (seeabove), and is preferably arranged in the main channel, whereby thesieve is formed in particular from two longitudinally extended legs thattaper toward one another, in such a way that in cross-section, the sievetapers to the bottom of the main channel. In this case, the two legs ofthe sieve, which, e.g., can be manufactured from an expanded metal,extend in each case along an extension direction, along which the mainchannel is also extended longitudinally. The edge (free end area) of thesieve that runs along that extension direction, formed by the two legsin this case, points in the direction to the bottom of the main channel.

In another variant of the invention, the distribution space can bedesigned as an in particular cylindrical distribution pot or can havesuch a distribution pot. In this case, the distribution pot preferablyhas a bottom with distribution holes, via which the liquid to bedistributed that is in the distribution pot can be sent on below or canbe distributed to a filling of the column, as well as a circumferentialwall extending from the bottom. In this connection, the additional meanscan be in the form of a sieve, wherein the sieve is preferably designedin the shape of a funnel or a cone, so that the sieve forms a taperingfree end that points to the bottom of the distribution pot. In thiscase, the sieve can be secured via an outer circumferential edge area tothe wall of the distribution pot.

In addition, the distribution space can be designed, in particular, alsoas a collecting space for collecting the liquid to be distributed or itcan have such a collecting space. In this case, such a collecting spacepreferably has a bottom with a circumferential (optionally cylindrical)wall extending therefrom, whereby in particular distributor chimneysextend from the bottom for conveying a gaseous phase through thecollecting space (from the bottom to the top along the longitudinal axisof the column). In this connection, the additional means is preferablyarranged in an adjacent manner between the distributor chimneys on thebottom of the collecting space, whereby it preferably forms athree-dimensional packing that consists of loose filling elements (inparticular in the form of balls or in the form of the above-describedelements) covering the bottom of the collecting space. To allow theliquid to pass from the bottom or to distribute the liquid, the bottomof the collecting space has at least one distribution hole.

Of course, a liquid distributor per se can also be pursued independentlyas an essential idea of the invention. Such a liquid distributor has atleast the following features: a distribution space, via which the liquidcan be distributed to a filling of a column that can be arrangedunderneath, whereby an additional means is arranged in the distributionspace of the liquid distributor (for improving the distribution qualityof the liquid distributor), which additional means forms a large numberof passages for the liquid to be distributed.

The invention is illustrated schematically with reference to anexemplary embodiment in the drawing and will be described extensivelyhereinafter with reference to the drawing. Various other features andattendant advantages of the present invention will be more fullyappreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a fragmentary sectional view of a column with adistribution pot of a liquid distributor, having a means for improvingthe distribution quality of the liquid distributor in the form of afunnel-shaped sieve;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective, partial cutaway view of the distribution potshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic, fragmentary sectional view of a column witha liquid distributor, having a main channel and distributing armsextending therefrom as well as a means, arranged in the main channel, inthe form of a sieve that is extended lengthwise to improve thedistribution quality of the liquid distributor;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective, partial cutaway view of a liquid distributorof a column with a sieve, which is similar to the sieve according toFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective, partial cutaway view of a liquid distributorof a column with a main channel and distributing arms extendingtherefrom, whereby in the main channel and in the distributing arms, ameans is provided in the form of randomly arranged filling elements; and

FIG. 6 shows a perspective, partial cutaway view of a collecting spaceof a liquid distributor of a column with distributor chimneys and ameans, provided between the chimneys, in the form of randomly arrangedfilling elements to improve the distribution quality of the liquiddistributor.

In connection with FIG. 2, FIG. 1 shows a column 1 that is suitable forcounter-current operation and extends lengthwise along a longitudinalaxis L and that has a (cylindrical) jacket extending along thelongitudinal axis L, with at least a first section 9, in which a fillingof the column 1 is arranged in the form of a random packing 10 or astructured packing 10. The longitudinal axis L of the column 1 coincideswith the vertical Z relative to a state of the column 1 that is arrangedas directed. Within column 1, a liquid phase (liquid) F wets the randompacking or the structured packings, with which the column 1 is filled,and flows downward, driven by gravity. A gaseous phase that isintroduced into the column 1 moves upward. Since both phases are forcedto move through a number of narrow channels provided by the filling 10,the interaction between both phases is increased.

To obtain as uniform a distribution of the liquid phase F as possible,over the entire cross-section of the packing 10 extending crosswise tothe longitudinal axis L, the column 1 has a liquid distributor 100 abovethat packing 10 or above the section 9. It is possible, of course, thatthe column 1 along the longitudinal axis L or along the vertical Z has alarge number of packings 10 that are arranged on one another. In thiscase, a liquid distributor 100 is preferably provided in each case abovesuch a packing 10.

According to FIG. 1, the column 1 has a liquid distributor 100 in theform of a pot distributor, with a distribution space 101 in the form ofa cylindrical distribution pot, which is arranged coaxially in thecolumn 1 above the section 9.

The distribution pot 101 has a bottom 102, from which a circumferentialwall 103 extends, which defines an opening of the distribution pot 101,via which the distribution pot 101 can be filled with the liquid F. Todistribute the liquid phase F downward, the distribution pot 101preferably has a large number of distribution holes 104, which aredistributed regularly (in particular in an equidistant manner) over thebottom 102.

A means 20 in the form of a funnel-shaped sieve is arranged in thedistribution pot 101 and tapers to a free end 105 of the sieve 20, whichfaces toward the bottom 102 of the distribution pot 101. The sieve 20forms a number of passages (passage holes) 21 for the liquid phase F, sothat solid particles found in the liquid phase F (starting from acertain size) are separated in sieve 20 to prevent a closing of thedistribution holes 104 by such solid particles. In addition, the liquidF that is added to the sieve 20 is stabilized or slowed down to acertain extent by the sieve because of the comparatively small passages21 of the sieve 20; this is also desirable for a uniform distribution ofthe liquid F.

To introduce the liquid F into the sieve 20, optionally a line 150 isprovided, whose outlet is arranged along the longitudinal axis L abovethe free end 105 of the sieve 20.

In contrast to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a liquid distributor 100 with a mainchannel 110, that extends along an extension direction E that runsperpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, and distributing arms 120extending therefrom, via whose distribution holes 104, provided in eachcase in the bottom 122 of the distributing arm 120, the liquid phase Fcan be distributed to a subjacent packing 10 of the column 1. The mainchannel 110 as well as the distributing arms 120 in each case have walls113, 123, respectively, that extend from the corresponding bottom 112,122, respectively.

The wall 113 of the main channel 110 in this case is open upward, insuch a way that the liquid phase F to be distributed can in turn beintroduced into the main channel 110 via a line 150, whose outlet isplaced above the main channel 110. To filter the embedded liquid F (seeabove), a means 20 that extends essentially over the entirecross-section of the main channel 110 is now arranged in the mainchannel 110 in the form of a sieve 20, which is formed from twolarge-area legs 201, 202 that extend along the extension direction E,which are angled towards one another in the direction towards the bottom112 of the main channel 110, in such a way that the sieve 20 has an edgethat runs along the extension direction E or it has a free end area 203(i.e., there is no sieve surface at the end 203). Also here, the liquidF delivered to the sieve 20 via line 150 is in addition stabilized (seeabove) by the sieve 20, which also improves the distribution quality,since the forming of as constant a filling level as possible issupported in the closed distributing arms 120.

-   5. In parargarph [0029] it is stated that seive 20 tapers to a free    end 105. Please advise what is meant by “free end” in this case.

In a perspective view, FIG. 4 shows a liquid distributor 100 with adistribution space 101. From a main channel 110, which extends along anextension direction E, with bottom 112 and wall 113 extending therefrom,several distributing arms 120 extend on both sides of the main channel110. Bottoms 122 of the distributing arms 120 lie in an extension planewith the bottom 112 of the main channel 110. Walls 123 of thedistributing arms 120 extend upwards from bottoms 122 and have, inparticular, the same height as the wall 113 of the main channel 110along the vertical Z.

The main channel 110 and optionally the distributing arms 120 are openupward in such a way that, according to FIG. 3, a liquid phase F to bedistributed can be introduced from above into the main channel 110. Inthis case, a sieve 20 is arranged in turn in the main channel 110, asdepicted in FIG. 3, and is used to filter the liquid F to be distributedand thus prevent closing of the distribution holes 104 of the liquiddistributor 100. This arrangement leads to an improvement of thedistribution quality of the distributor 100.

FIG. 5 shows a liquid distributor 100, similar to that depicted in FIG.4, wherein unlike in FIG. 4, no sieve 20 is arranged in the main channel110. Instead, a rather large number of packing elements 20 arepositioned beside one another and over one another, covering the bottom112 of the main channel 110 as well as the bottom 122 of thedistributing arms 120. These packing elements form a three-dimensionalpacking, which provides a large number of narrow passages 21 for theliquid F to be distributed (the individual filling elements 20 adjoinone another). This improves the distribution quality of the liquiddistributor 100. On the one hand, the liquid phase F introduced into thedistribution space 101 is slowed down and stabilized in particularrelative to the lateral movements (waves). On the other hand, thedegasification of the liquid F within the distribution space 101 issupported by the highly effective surface of the filling elements 20 intheir entirety.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows a liquid distributor 100, which has a distributionspace 101 that is designed as a collecting space or whose distributionspace 101 comprises at least one such collecting space.

In this case, the collecting space 101 has a bottom 102, from which acircumferential wall 103 extends. The bottom 102 has a large number ofrectangular passage openings, from whose circumferential edges in eachcase circumferential walls 131 extend along the vertical Z in such a waythat distributor chimneys 130 are formed, through which a gaseous phasethat increases in the column 1 can be directed upward through thecollecting space 101. To distribute a liquid phase F that is collectedin the collecting space 101, the bottom 102 in addition has distributionholes 104, through which the liquid phase F can be delivered to across-section of a packing 10 of a column 1 that is arranged below thecollecting space 101.

The walls 131 of the distributor chimneys 130 in each case definechimney openings 132, which optionally can be covered with a cap, sothat a liquid phase F that flows downward into the column 1 cannotpenetrate the distributor chimneys 130, but the gaseous phase can stillpass through the chimneys.

On the bottom 102 of the collecting space 101, between the individualdistributor chimneys 130, as depicted in FIG. 5, a large number ofpacking elements 20 are arranged beside one another and over oneanother. The packing elements 20 cover the bottom 102 of the collectingspace 101 and, in this case, form a three-dimensional packing, whichprovides a large number of narrow passages 21 for the liquid F to bedistributed. In this way, the distribution quality of the liquiddistributor 100, as described above relative to FIG. 5, is improved.

The collecting space 101 can be arranged in particular below a packing10 of a column 1, and it can accommodate the exiting liquid phase F andfurther distribute it downward via the distribution holes 104 arrangedin the bottom 102. With this arrangement, the respective chimneyopenings 132 can be covered (see above). It is also possible, of course,that the liquid phase F to be distributed is sent to the collectingspace 101 via a line 150 as depicted in FIG. 1 or 3.

The entire disclosure[s] of all applications, patents and publications,cited herein and of corresponding German Application No. DE 10 201 0 056023.5, filed Dec. 23, 2010 are incorporated by reference herein.

The preceding examples can be repeated with similar success bysubstituting the generically or specifically described reactants and/oroperating conditions of this invention for those used in the precedingexamples.

TABLE 1 Legend for Reference Numerals in Figures 1 Column 9 Section 10Filling 20 Means 21 Passages 100 Liquid Distributor 101 DistributionSpace 102 Bottom 103 Wall 104 Distribution Hole 105 Free End 110 MainChannel 112 Bottom 113 Wall 120 Distributing Arm 122 Bottom 123 Wall 130Distributor Chimney 131 Wall 132 Chimney Opening 150 Feeder 201 Leg 202Leg 203 Free End Area, Edge E Extension Direction L Longitudinal Axis ZVertical

1. A column comprising: a section (9), in which a packing (10) isarranged in the form of a large number of fillers or a packing, a liquiddistributor (100) for distributing a liquid (F) to that packing (10), adistribution space (101) within the liquid distributor (100), via whichthe liquid (F) can be distributed to that filling (10) of column (1),and an additional means (20) for improving the distribution of theliquid distributor, said additional means (20) forming a large number ofpassages (21) for the liquid (F) to be distributed, is arranged in saiddistribution space (101) of said liquid distributor (100).
 2. The columnaccording to claim 1, wherein the means (20) is formed by a large numberof packing elements (22) adjoining one another and/or lying over oneanother, in particular in the form of balls, annular cylinders, saddlerings and/or saddle elements.
 3. The column according to claim 2,wherein packing elements (22) are in the form of balls, annularcylinders, saddle rings and/or saddle elements.
 4. The column accordingto claim 1, wherein said additional means (20) is formed by a wire meshset and/or expanded metal.
 5. The column according to claim 1, whereinsaid additional means (20) is designed as a sieve for separating solidparticles from the liquid (F) that is to be distributed, in particularwith a number of passages (21) in the form of passage openings of thesieve (20).
 6. The column according to claim 5, wherein the sieve (20)consists of a metal.
 7. The column according to claim 1, wherein saidadditional means (20) is arranged in the distribution space (101) insuch a way that the liquid (F) that is to be distributed is slowed downby said additional means (20), movement of liquid is reduced by saidadditional means (20), and/or a degasification of liquid (F) that is tobe distributed, taken up in the passages (21), is performed.
 8. Thecolumn according to claim 1, wherein the distribution space (101) has amain channel (110), arranged above said section (9), for distributingliquid (F) to distributing arms (120) that extend therefrom and that aredesigned in each case for distributing liquid (F) to the packing (10) ofthe column (1).
 9. The column according to claim 8, wherein saidadditional means (20) is arranged in the main channel (110) and/or inthe distributing arms (120).
 10. The column according to claim 5,wherein said additional means (20) is arranged in the form of the sievein the main channel (120), whereby the sieve (20) is formed from twolongitudinally extended legs (201, 202) that taper toward one another,and whereby said two legs (201, 202) are designed extendedlongitudinally along an extension direction (E), which coincides with anextension direction (E), along which the main channel (120) extendslongitudinally.
 11. The column according to claim 5, wherein thedistribution space (101) is designed as a distribution pot with a bottom(102) with distribution holes (104) for distributing liquid (F) and acircumferential wall (103) that extends from said bottom (102), wherebysaid sieve (20) is designed funnel-shaped, in particular cone-shaped, sothat said sieve (20) has a tapering free end (105), and whereby thesieve (20) is arranged in the distribution pot (101) in such a way thatthat free end (105) points in the direction of the bottom (102).
 12. Thecolumn according to claim 2, wherein said additional means (20) isarranged in the distribution space (101) in such a way that the liquid(F) that is to be distributed is slowed down by said additional means(20), movement of liquid is reduced by said additional means (20),and/or a degasification of liquid (F) that is to be distributed, takenup in the passages (21), is performed.
 13. The column according to claim12, wherein distribution space (101) is designed as a collecting spacefor collecting liquid (F) to be distributed, with a bottom (102) havingdistribution holes (104) for distributing liquid (F) and acircumferential wall (103) that extends from said bottom (102), wherebydistributor chimneys (130) extend from said bottom (102) for conveying agaseous phase through said collecting space (101), and whereby saidadditional means (20) is arranged between said distributor chimneys(130) on said bottom (102) of said collecting space (101).
 14. In amethod of performing material exchange and/or heat exchange between agaseous and liquid phase in an off-shore facility, comprisingintroducing a gaseous phase and introducing a liquid phase into a columncontaining a packing, the improvement wherein said column is a columnaccording to claim 1.